Medicine in the activities and writings of Michael Sendivogius (1566–1636)

Abstract

Michael Sendivogius, the Polish author of highly infl uential early modern alchemical treatises, is usually perceived as a typical chrysopoeian rather than a physician. Indeed, in his published texts he hardly mentioned medical applications of alchemy. There are, however, numerous scattered sources which testify to his medical practice and miraculous cures, witnessed by such well known physicians as Oswald Croll. The surviving Sendivogius’s personal copy of Pharmacopoeia Augustana suggests he was well versed in the traditional Galenist pharmacy. The power of his elixir for prolongation of life was widely discussed and its chemical composition is hypothetically identifi ed in the present paper. 

Michael Sendivogius, the Polish author of highly infl uential early modern alchemical treatises, is usually perceived as a typical chrysopoeian rather than a physician. Indeed, in his published texts he hardly mentioned medical applications of alchemy. There are, however, numerous scattered sources which testify to his medical practice and miraculous cures, witnessed by such well known physicians as Oswald Croll. The surviving Sendivogius’s personal copy of Pharmacopoeia Augustana suggests he was well versed in the traditional Galenist pharmacy. The power of his elixir for prolongation of life was widely discussed and its chemical composition is hypothetically identifi ed in the present paper.